CLEVELAND — It’s well established that in order to safely look at a total solar eclipse, you need to be wearing proper eye protection, and on April 8, Northeast Ohio will be in the path of totality of a total solar eclipse for the first time since 2017.
THE CLAIM
Because of this rare event coming up so soon, we’ve noticed this trending internet search in Northeast Ohio: Are eclipse glasses from 2017 still safe to use?
According to NASA, the next total solar eclipse that will be visible in the United States won’t happen again until August 23, 2044, so it makes a lot of sense to reuse what you already have, if you can.
SOURCES
So to verify whether eclipse glasses from 2017 are still safe to use, we checked with Great Lakes Science Center community engagement coordinator and former NASA educator JonDarr Bradshaw.
Bradshaw tells us that there are a few things to check for when trying to determine if your 2017 solar eclipse glasses are still safe to use on April 8.
First, you need to check the ISO number.
This number refers to the type of filter that’s on the glasses that’s needed to block the sun's harmful solar radiation. To safely view the total solar eclipse that's happening on April 8, your glasses need to be certified at ISO 12312-2:2015.
Second, check the condition of your glasses.
Bradshaw says that even if the ISO number is correct, you still need to make sure the lenses aren’t damaged, ripped or scratched to make sure they’re safe for direct solar viewing.
THE ANSWER
So we can verify that yes, it’s true that eclipse glasses from 2017 are still safe to use, as long as they’re in good condition, and certified at ISO 12312-2:2015.
MORE INFORMATION
If you don’t have a safe pair of solar eclipse glasses to use from 201, you can grab a pair online at ClevelandMetroparksShop.com for $2 each, plus the cost of shipping, or you can pick them up in person at the North Chagrin Nature Shop, Rocky River Nature Shop and the Hinckley Lake Boathouse, while supplies last. Plus, Cleveland Metroparks just released the Total Solar Eclipse collection commemorating the occasion.
The Great Lakes Science Center will also have free pairs of eclipse glasses at their 2024 Total Eclipse Fest, which you can learn more about at GreatScience.com, and by following the hashtag #staycuriouscle.
Want something verified? Email us at verify@wkyc.com or text us at 216-344-3300.